Mobile terminal and processor

ABSTRACT

A mobile terminal is used in a mobile communication system including a general cell supporting a broadcast distribution of MBMS data and a specific cell not supporting a broadcast distribution of MBMS data. The mobile terminal has a controller that executes an autonomous search that searches for a specific cell to which the mobile terminal is allowed to connect. In an idle state, the controller halts the autonomous search when the user terminal receives the MBMS data from the general cell.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a mobile communication method and amobile terminal employed in a mobile communication system including ageneral cell supporting broadcasting of MBMS data and a specific cellnot supporting broadcasting of the MBMS data.

BACKGROUND ART

Heretofore, there has been known a general cell (e.g., macrocell)supporting broadcasting of MBMS data. There has also been known aspecific cell referred to as a CSG (Closed Subscriber Group) cell, ahomecell, or a femtocell, for example.

Note that an access type can be set for a specific cell. The accesstypes include “Closed,” “Hybrid,” and “Open.”

A specific cell does not support broadcasting of MBMS data. Hence, whena mobile terminal performs handover from a general cell to a specificcell or changes the selected cell from a general cell to a specificcell, the mobile terminal cannot acquire information on MBMS data in thespecific cell.

PRIOR ART DOCUMENT Non-Patent Document

Non-patent document 1: 3GPP TS 36.300 V10.5.0

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A mobile terminal according to a first feature is used in a mobilecommunication system including a general cell supporting a broadcastdistribution of MBMS data and a specific cell not supporting a broadcastdistribution of the MBMS data. The mobile terminal includes a controllerthat performs an autonomous search to search the specific cell to whichthe mobile terminal is allowed to connect. The controller is configuredto halt the autonomous search when the mobile terminal in an idle statereceives the MBMS data from the general cell.

A mobile terminal according to a second feature is used in a mobilecommunication system including a general cell supporting a broadcastdistribution of MBMS data and a specific cell not supporting a broadcastdistribution of the MBMS data. The mobile terminal includes a controllerconfigured to acquire, from the specific cell, minimum informationnecessary for receiving the MBMS data when the mobile terminal exists inthe specific cell.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a mobile communication system 100 of a firstembodiment to a third embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a radio frame of the first embodiment to thethird embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing radio resource of the first embodiment tothe third embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a mobile terminal of the first embodimentto the third embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

A mobile communication system of embodiments of the present inventionare described below by referring to the drawings. In the followingdescription of the drawings, same or similar reference numerals aregiven to denote same or similar portions.

Note that the drawings are merely schematically shown and proportions ofsizes and the like are different from actual ones. Therefore, specificdimensions and the like should be determined in consideration of thefollowing description. Moreover, there are portions where dimensionalrelationships and ratios differ among drawings, as a matter of course.

First Embodiment Summary of First Embodiment

A mobile communication method according to a first embodiment is amethod for distributing MBMS data to a mobile terminal in a mobilecommunication system including a general cell supporting broadcasting ofthe MBMS data and a specific cell not supporting broadcasting of theMBMS data. The mobile communication method includes: a step A ofbroadcasting MBMS service information indicating contents of the MBMSdata from the general cell; a step B of broadcasting MBMS servicemodification information from the general cell, the MBMS servicemodification information indicating that the MBMS service information isto be modified and indicating a period of broadcasting the MBMS serviceinformation; a step C of broadcasting the MBMS service modificationinformation from the specific cell; and a step D of receiving, by themobile terminal in the specific cell, the MBMS service informationbroadcasted from the general cell, during the period indicated by theMBMS service modification information broadcasted from the specificcell.

In the first embodiment, since the specific cell broadcasts MBMS servicemodification information, the mobile terminal can receive the MBMSservice information broadcasted from the general cell. Therefore, themobile terminal can continuously acquire information on the MBMS data(MBMS service information) even when it is camped on the specific cell.

A mobile communication method according to a first embodiment is amethod for distributing MBMS data to a mobile terminal in a mobilecommunication system including a general cell supporting broadcasting ofthe MBMS data and a specific cell not supporting broadcasting of theMBMS data. The mobile communication method includes: a step A ofbroadcasting MBMS service information indicating contents of the MBMSdata from the general cell; a step B of broadcasting MBMS servicemodification information from the specific cell, the MBMS servicemodification information indicating that the MBMS service information isto be modified and indicating a period of broadcasting the MBMS serviceinformation; a step C of broadcasting the MBMS service information fromthe specific cell during the period indicated by the MBMS servicemodification information, and a step D of receiving the MBMS serviceinformation broadcasted from the specific cell by the mobile terminal inthe specific cell, during the period indicated by the MBMS servicemodification information broadcasted from the specific cell.

In the first embodiment, since the specific cell broadcasts MBMS serviceinformation and MBMS service modification information, the mobileterminal can receive the MBMS service information broadcasted from thespecific cell. Therefore, the mobile terminal can continuously acquireinformation on the MBMS data (MBMS service information) even when it iscamped on the specific cell.

A mobile communication method according to a first embodiment is amethod for distributing MBMS data to a mobile terminal in a mobilecommunication system including a general cell supporting broadcasting ofthe MBMS data and a specific cell not supporting broadcasting of theMBMS data. The mobile communication method includes: a step A ofbroadcasting MBMS service information indicating contents of the MBMSdata from the general cell; a step B of acquiring the MBMS serviceinformation from the general cell by the specific cell, and transmittingfrom the specific cell the MBMS service information to the mobileterminal connected to the specific cell; a step C of receiving the MBMSservice information from the specific cell by the mobile terminalconnected to the specific cell.

In the first embodiment, MBMS service information is transmitted fromthe specific cell to the mobile terminal connected to the specific cell.In other words, MBMS service information is transmitted from thespecific cell to the mobile terminal via a unicast connection. Hence,the mobile terminal can continuously acquire information on MBMS data(MBMS service information) even when it is connected to the specificcell.

Note that in the embodiment, the specific cell is preferably a cellarranged in small scale or in large scale. The specific cell ispreferably a cell managed by a HNB (Home Node B), a HeNB (Home EvolvedNode B), a femto BTS, or the like. To be specific, a radio base stationmanaging the specific cell is a HNB, a HeNB, a femto BTS, or the like.

(Mobile Communication System)

A mobile communication system of a first embodiment is described below.FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a mobile communication system 100 of thefirst embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1, the mobile communication system 100 includes a radioterminal 10 (hereinafter, UE 10) and a core network 50. In addition, themobile communication system 100 includes a first communication systemand a second communication system.

The first communication system is a communication system supporting LTE(Long Term Evolution), for example. The first communication systemincludes, for example, abase station 110A (hereinafter, eNB 110A), ahome base station 110B (hereinafter, HeNB 110B), a home base stationgateway 120B (hereinafter, HeNB-GW 120B), and an MME 130.

Note that a radio access network (E-UTRAN; Evolved Universal TerrestrialRadio Access Network) corresponding to the first communication system isformed of the eNB 110A, the HeNB 110B, and the HeNB-GW 120B.

The second communication system is a communication system supportingUMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunication System), for example. Thesecond communication system includes a base station 210A (hereinafter,NB 210A), a home base station 210B (hereinafter, HNB 210B), an RNC 220A,a home base station gateway 220B (hereinafter, HNB-GW 220B), and an SGSN230.

Note that a radio access network (UTRAN; Universal Terrestrial RadioAccess Network) corresponding to the second communication system isformed of the NB 210A, the HNB 210B, the RNC 220A, and the HNB-GW 220B.

The UE 10 is a device (User Equipment) configured to communicate withthe second communication system or the first communication system. Forexample, the UE 10 has a function to perform radio communications withthe eNB 110A and the HeNB 110B. Alternatively, the UE 10 has a functionto perform radio communications with the NB 210A and the HNB 210B.

The eNB 110A manages a general cell 111A, and is a device (evolvedNodeB) for performing radio communications with the UE 10 in the generalcell 111A.

The HeNB 110B manages a specific cell 111B, and is a device (Homeevolved NodeB) for performing radio communications with the UE 10 in thespecific cell 111B.

The HeNB-GW 120B is connected to the HeNB 110B, and is a device (Homeevolved NodeB Gateway) for managing the HeNB 110B.

The MME 130 is connected with the eNB 110A, and is a device (MobilityManagement Entity) for managing mobility of the UE 10 which establishesa radio connection with the HeNB 110B. The MME 130 is also connected tothe HeNB 110B via the HeNB-GW 120B, and is a device for managingmobility of the UE 10 which establishes a radio connection with the HeNB110B.

The NB 210A manages a general cell 211A, and is a device (NodeB) forperforming radio communications with the UE 10 in the general cell 211A.

The HNB 210B manages a specific cell 211B, and is a device (Home NodeB)for performing radio communications with the UE 10 in the specific cell211B.

The RNC 220A is connected to the NB 210A, and is a device (Radio NetworkController) for establishing a radio connection (RRC Connection) withthe UE 10 in the general cell 211A.

The HNB-GW 220B is connected to the HNB 210B, and is a device (HomeNodeB Gateway) for establishing a radio connection (RRC Connection) withthe UE 10 in the specific cell 211B.

The SGSN 230 is a device (Serving GPRS Support Node) for exchangingpackets in a packet exchange domain. The SGSN 230 is provided in thecore network 50. Although omitted in FIG. 1, a device (MSC; MobileSwitching Center) for switching lines in a line switching domain may beprovided in the core network 50.

Note that the general cell and the specific cell should be understood asfunctions for performing radio communications with the UE 10. However,the general cell and the specific cell are also used as terms indicatingcoverage areas of cells. In addition, a cell such as the general cell orthe specific cell is identified by a frequency, a spreading code, a timeslot or the like used in the cell.

The specific cell is sometimes referred to as a femtocell, a CSG (ClosedSubscriber Group) cell, a homecell or the like. Moreover, the specificcell is configured such that an access type can be set therefor. Theaccess type is set to define the UEs 10 allowed access to the specificcell. The access types include “Closed,” “Hybrid,” and “Open.”

A “Closed” specific cell is configured such that services may beprovided only to the UE 10 (UE; User Equipment) managed by the specificcell.

A “Hybrid” specific cell is configured such that the UE 10 managed bythe specific cell is allowed to communicate with high quality, whereasthe UE 10 not managed by the specific cell is allowed to communicatewith best-effort quality, for example.

An “Open” specific cell is configured such that services may be providedto all of the UEs 10 as in the case of the general cell. Here, in the“Open” cell, UEs 10 can perform communications with equal qualitywithout being distinguished as to whether the UEs 10 are managed by thespecific cell.

Note that the access type may be “ACCESS CLASS BARRED” which prohibitsaccess by the UE 10 depending on the access class, or “CELL BARRED”which prohibits access by the UE 10 depending on the cell.

Hereinbelow, the first communication system will be mainly described. Itis to be noted that the following description may be applied to thesecond communication system.

In the first communication system, OFDMA (Orthogonal Frequency DivisionMultiple Access) is employed as a downlink multiplexing scheme, andSC-FDMA (Single-Carrier Frequency Division Multiple Access) is employedas an uplink multiplexing scheme.

In addition, in the first communication system, an uplink controlchannel (PUCCH; Physical Uplink Control Channel), an uplink sharedchannel (PUSCH; Physical Uplink Shared Channel) and the like are used asuplink channels. Meanwhile, a downlink control channel (PDCCH; PhysicalDownlink Control Channel), a downlink shared channel (PDSCH; PhysicalDownlink Shared Channel) and the like are used as downlink channels.

An uplink control channel is a channel for conveying a control signal.The control signal includes a CQI (Channel Quality Indicator), a PMI(Precoding Matrix Indicator), an RI (Rank Indicator), an SR (SchedulingRequest), and an ACK/NACK, for example.

A CQI is a signal being a notification of a recommended modulationscheme and coding rate to be used in downlink transmission. A PMI is asignal indicating a precoder matrix preferably used in downlinktransmission. An RI is a signal indicating the number of layers(streams) to be used in downlink transmission. An SR is a signal forrequesting allocation of an uplink radio resource (resource block to bedescribed later). An ACK/NACK is a signal indicating whether or not asignal transmitted through a downlink channel (e.g., PDSCH) is receivedsuccessfully.

An uplink shared channel is a channel for conveying a control signal(including the control signals described above) and/or a data signal.For example, an uplink radio resource is in some cases allocated only toa data signal, and in other cases allocated in such a manner that a datasignal and a control signal are multiplexed.

A downlink control channel is a channel for conveying a control signal.The control signal is Uplink SI (Scheduling Information), Downlink SI(Scheduling Information), or a TPC bit, for example.

Uplink SI is a signal indicating allocation of an uplink radio resource.Downlink SI is a signal indicating allocation of a downlink radioresource. A TPC bit is a signal for instructing increase or decrease inpower for a signal transmitted through an uplink channel.

A downlink shared channel is a channel for conveying a control signaland/or a data signal. For example, a downlink radio resource is in somecases allocated only to a data signal, and in other cases allocated insuch a manner that a data signal and a control signal are multiplexed.

The control signal to be transmitted through a downlink shared channelincludes a TA (Timing Advance). A TA is information for correcting atransmission timing between the UE 10 and the eNB 110A, and is measuredby the eNB 110A on the basis of an uplink signal transmitted from the UE10.

The control signal to be transmitted through a channel other than thedownlink control channel (PDCCH) or the downlink shared channel (PDSCH)includes an ACK/NACK. An ACK/NACK is a signal indicating whether or nota signal transmitted through an uplink channel (e.g., PUSCH) is receivedsuccessfully.

In the first embodiment, a general cell is a cell supportingbroadcasting of MBMS data. The general cell broadcasts MBMS serviceinformation indicating contents of MBMS data (program guide).Alternatively, the general cell broadcasts MBMS service modificationinformation indicating that MBMS service information is to be modifiedand indicating the timing at which the MBMS service information ismodified. For example, the general cell transmits MBMS data through anMTCH (Multicast Traffic Channel). The general cell also transmits MBMSservice information indicating contents of MBMS data (program guide)through an MCCH (Multicast Control Channel). Alternatively, the generalcell transmits MBMS information through the MTCH.

In contrast, a specific cell is a cell not supporting broadcasting ofMBMS data. Thus, it is to be noted that the specific cell does not havea function of broadcasting MBMS data, and generally does not broadcastMBMS service information or MBMS service modification information.Still, the specific cell can transmit MBMS data to the UE 10 connectedto the specific cell and thus in a connected state. For example, thespecific cell can transmit MBMS data by using the PDSCH.

The general cell and the specific cell broadcast broadcast-informationthrough a broadcast channel (BCCH; Broadcast Control Channel).Broadcast-information is information such as an MIB (Master InformationBlock), an SIB (System Information Block), and the like, for example.

(Radio Frame)

A radio frame of the first communication system is described below. FIG.2 is a diagram showing a radio frame of the first communication system.

As shown in FIG. 2, a single radio frame includes 10 sub-frames. Asingle sub-frame includes two slots. A time length of a single slot is0.5 msec, a time length of a single sub-frame is 1 msec, and a timelength of a single radio frame is 10 msec.

Note that a single slot is formed of multiple OFDM symbols (e.g., six orseven OFDM symbols) in the downlink. Similarly, a single slot is formedof multiple SC-FDMA symbols (e.g., six or seven SC-FDMA symbols) in theuplink.

(Radio Resource)

Radio resource of the first communication system is described below.FIG. 3 is a diagram showing radio resource of the first communicationsystem.

As shown in FIG. 3, radio resource is defined by a frequency axis and atime axis. Frequency includes multiple sub-carriers. A predeterminednumber of sub-carriers (12 sub-carriers) are collectively referred to asa resource block (RB: Resource Block). As described above, time isdivided into units such as OFDM symbols (or SC-FDMA symbols), slots,sub-frames, radio frames, and the like.

Radio resource can be allocated in units of resource blocks. Radioresource can be divided on the frequency axis and on the time axis to beallocated to multiple users (e.g., user #1 to user #5).

The eNB 110A allocates the radio resource. The eNB 110A allocates theradio resource to the UEs 10 on the basis of CQI, PMI, RI, and the like.

(Configuration of UE)

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the UE 10. As shown in FIG. 4, the UE 10has an antenna 11, a radio transceiver 12, a user interface 13, a GNSS(Global Navigation Satellite System) receiver 14, a battery 15, a memory16, and a processor 17. The memory 16 and the processor 17 constitute acontroller.

The UE 10 may not have the GNSS receiver 14. In addition, the memory 16is integrated with the processor 17, and this set (that is, a chipset)may be called a processor 17′.

The antenna 11 and the radio transceiver 12 are used to transmit andreceive a radio signal. The antenna 11 includes a plurality of antennaelements. The radio transceiver 12 converts a baseband signal outputfrom the processor 17 into the radio signal, and transmits the radiosignal from the antenna 11. Furthermore, the radio transceiver 12converts the radio signal received by the antenna 11 into the basebandsignal, and outputs the baseband signal to the processor 17.

The user interface 13 is an interface with a user carrying the UE 10,and includes, for example, a display, a microphone, a speaker, andvarious buttons. The user interface 13 receives an operation from a userand outputs a signal indicating the content of the operation to theprocessor 17.

The GNSS receiver 14 receives a GNSS signal in order to obtain locationinformation indicating a geographical location of the UE 10, and outputsthe received signal to the processor 17.

The battery 15 stores a power to be supplied to each block of the UE 10.

The memory 16 stores a program to be executed by the processor 17 andinformation to be used for a process by the processor 17.

The processor 17 includes a baseband processor configured to performmodulation and demodulation, coding and decoding and the like of thebaseband signal, and a CPU (Central Processing Unit) configured toperform various processes by executing the program stored in the memory16. The processor 17 may further include a codec that performs encodingand decoding of sound and video signals. The processor 17 performsvarious processes which will be described later.

(Mobile Communication Method)

A mobile communication method of the first embodiment is described belowusing three cases.

(Case 1)

A description is given below of a case where MBMS service information isbroadcasted from a general cell, and MBMS service modificationinformation is broadcasted from a specific cell. The UE 10 is in thespecific cell. It is to be noted that the term “in the cell” indicatesboth the idle state and the connected state.

Specifically, in case 1, the mobile communication method includes: astep A of broadcasting MBMS service information indicating contents ofMBMS data from the general cell; a step B of broadcasting MBMS servicemodification information from the general cell, the MBMS servicemodification information indicating that the MBMS service information isto be modified and indicating a period (e.g., MCCH modification Period)of broadcasting the MBMS service information; a step C of broadcastingthe MBMS service modification information from the specific cell; and astep D of receiving by the UE 10 in the specific cell the MBMS serviceinformation broadcasted from the general cell, during the periodindicated by the MBMS service modification information broadcasted fromthe specific cell.

In step C, the specific cell preferably suspends transmission ofdownlink data through a downlink shared channel during the periodindicated by the MBMS service modification information.

Thus, regardless of whether or not the frequency used in the specificcell is the same as the frequency used in the general cell, it ispossible to prevent a problem that downlink data transmitted from thespecific cell through the downlink shared channel cannot be received dueto monitoring of the MBMS service information broadcasted from thegeneral cell.

Moreover, if the frequency used in the specific cell is the same as thefrequency used in the general cell, downlink data transmitted from thespecific cell through the downlink shared channel and the MBMS serviceinformation broadcasted from the general cell do not interfere with eachother in the UE 10.

In case 1, the mobile communication method may further include a step Eof acquiring the MBMS service modification information through aninterface of the mobile communication system. Note that the interface ofthe mobile communication system is an inter-base station interface (X2interface), an interface connected through a core network (S1interface), or the like.

Alternatively, in case 1, the mobile communication method may furtherinclude a step E of acquiring the MBMS service modification informationby the specific cell through monitoring of the MBMS service modificationinformation broadcasted from the general cell. In this case, if thefrequency used in the specific cell is the same as the frequency used inthe general cell, the specific cell may control the UE 10 in thespecific cell so as to suspend transmission of uplink data during theperiod in which the MBMS service modification information is broadcastedfrom the general cell. For example, the specific cell transmits to theUE 10 an instruction to suspend transmission of uplink data during theperiod in which the MBMS service modification information is broadcastedfrom the general cell. Thus, uplink data transmitted from the UE 10 andthe MBMS service modification information broadcasted from the generalcell do not interfere with each other in the specific cell.

(Case 2)

A description is given below of a case where MBMS service informationand MBMS service modification information are broadcasted from aspecific cell. The UE 10 is in the specific cell. It is to be noted thatthe term “in the cell” indicates both the idle state and the connectedstate.

Specifically, in case 2, the mobile communication method includes: astep A of broadcasting MBMS service information indicating contents ofMBMS data from a general cell; a step B of broadcasting MBMS servicemodification information from the specific cell, the MBMS servicemodification information indicating that the MBMS service information isto be modified and indicating a period (e.g., MCCH modification Period)of broadcasting the MBMS service information; a step C of broadcastingthe MBMS service information from the specific cell during the periodindicated by the MBMS service modification information; and a step D ofreceiving by the mobile terminal in the specific cell the MBMS serviceinformation broadcasted from the specific cell, during the periodindicated by the MBMS service modification information broadcasted fromthe specific cell.

In case 2, the mobile communication method may further include a step Eof acquiring the MBMS service information through an interface of themobile communication system. Note that the interface of the mobilecommunication system is an inter-base station interface (X2 interface),an interface connected through a core network (S1 interface), or thelike.

Alternatively, in case 2, the mobile communication method may furtherinclude a step E of acquiring the MBMS service information by thespecific cell through monitoring of the MBMS service informationbroadcasted from the general cell. For example, the specific cellmonitors the MBMS service modification information broadcasted from thegeneral cell, identifies a period in which the MBMS service informationis broadcasted from the general cell, and monitors the MBMS serviceinformation during the identified period to thereby acquire the MBMSservice information. In this case, if the frequency used in the specificcell is the same as the frequency used in the general cell, the specificcell may control the UE 10 in the specific cell so as to suspendtransmission of uplink data during the period in which the MBMS serviceinformation is broadcasted from the general cell. For example, thespecific cell may transmit to the UE 10 an instruction to suspendtransmission of uplink data during the period in which the MBMS serviceinformation is broadcasted from the general cell. In this case, thespecific cell may control the UE 10 in the specific cell so as tosuspend transmission of uplink data during the period in which the MBMSservice modification information is broadcasted from the general cell.For example, the specific cell may transmit to the UE 10 an instructionto suspend transmission of uplink data during the period in which theMBMS service modification information is broadcasted from the generalcell. Thus, uplink data transmitted from the UE 10 and the MBMS serviceinformation broadcasted from the general cell do not interfere with eachother in the specific cell.

Note that since the MBMS service modification information is broadcastedfrom the specific cell in case 2, the specific cell can set an arbitraryperiod to broadcast the MBMS service information. In other words, atiming at which the MBMS service information is broadcasted from thespecific cell may differ from a timing at which the MBMS serviceinformation is broadcasted from the general cell. To be more precise,contents of the MBMS service modification information broadcasted fromthe specific cell may differ from contents of the MBMS servicemodification information broadcasted from the general cell.

(Case 3)

A description is given below of a case where a specific cell transmitsMBMS service information via a unicast connection. The UE 10 is in aconnected state in the specific cell.

Specifically, in case 3, the mobile communication method includes: astep A of broadcasting MBMS service information indicating contents ofMBMS data from a general cell; a step B of acquiring the MBMS serviceinformation from the general cell by the specific cell, and transmittingfrom the specific cell the MBMS service information to a mobile terminalconnected to the specific cell; and a step C of receiving the MBMSservice information from the specific cell by the mobile terminalconnected to the specific cell.

In case 3, the mobile communication method may further include a step Dof acquiring the MBMS service information through an interface of themobile communication system. Note that the interface of the mobilecommunication system is an inter-base station interface (X2 interface),an interface connected through a core network (S1 interface), or thelike.

Alternatively, in case 3, the mobile communication method may furtherinclude a step D of acquiring the MBMS service information by thespecific cell through monitoring of the MBMS service informationbroadcasted from the general cell. For example, the specific cellmonitors the MBMS service modification information broadcasted from thegeneral cell, identifies a period in which the MBMS service informationis broadcasted from the general cell, and monitors the MBMS serviceinformation during the identified period to thereby acquire the MBMSservice information. In this case, if the frequency used in the specificcell is the same as the frequency used in the general cell, the specificcell may control the UE 10 in the specific cell so as to suspendtransmission of uplink data during the period in which the MBMS serviceinformation is broadcasted from the general cell. For example, thespecific cell may transmit to the UE 10 an instruction to suspendtransmission of uplink data during the period in which the MBMS serviceinformation is broadcasted from the general cell. In this case, thespecific cell may control the UE 10 in the specific cell so as tosuspend transmission of uplink data during the period in which the MBMSservice modification information is broadcasted from the general cell.For example, the specific cell may transmit to the UE 10 an instructionto suspend transmission of uplink data during the period in which theMBMS service modification information is broadcasted from the generalcell. Thus, uplink data transmitted from the UE 10 and the MBMS serviceinformation broadcasted from the general cell do not interfere with eachother in the specific cell.

It is to be noted that since the MBMS service information is transmittedvia a unicast connection in case 3, broadcasting of the MBMS servicemodification information from the specific cell is unnecessary.

Effects and Advantages

In case 1, the MBMS service modification information is broadcasted fromthe specific cell, and thus the mobile terminal can receive the MBMSservice information broadcasted from the general cell. Accordingly, themobile terminal can continuously acquire information on the MBMS data(MBMS service information) even when it is camped on the specific cell.

In case 2, the MBMS service information and the MBMS servicemodification information are broadcasted from the specific cell, andthus the mobile terminal can receive the MBMS service informationbroadcasted from the specific cell. Accordingly, the mobile terminal cancontinuously acquire information on the MBMS data (MBMS serviceinformation) even when it is camped on the specific cell.

In case 3, the MBMS service information is transmitted from the specificcell to the mobile terminal connected to the specific cell via a unicastconnection. Accordingly, the mobile terminal can continuously acquireinformation on the MBMS data (MBMS service information) even when it iscamped on the specific cell.

Second Embodiment

Hereinafter, a second embodiment will be described while focusing ondifferences from the first embodiment. Although an operation ofperforming a cell reselection between the specific cell and the generalcell has not been described especially in the first embodiment, thesecond embodiment is an embodiment relating to the cell reselection.

A mobile terminal (UE 10) according to the second embodiment is used ina mobile communication system including a general cell supporting abroadcast distribution of MBMS data and a specific cell not supporting abroadcast distribution of the MBMS data. The mobile terminal includes acontroller (processor 17) that performs an autonomous search to searchthe specific cell to which the mobile terminal is allowed to connect.The controller is configured to halt the autonomous search when themobile terminal in an idle state receives the MBMS data from the generalcell.

A processor according to the second embodiment is equipped in a mobileterminal used in a mobile communication system including a general cellsupporting a broadcast distribution of MBMS data and a specific cell notsupporting a broadcast distribution of the MBMS data. The processorexecutes an autonomous search to search the specific cell to which themobile terminal is allowed to connect. The processor is configured tohalt the autonomous search when the mobile terminal in an idle statereceives the MBMS data from the general cell.

The autonomous search is an operation of searching a specific cellhaving a CSG ID included in a white list stored in the UE 10, i.e. aspecific cell to which the UE 10 is allowed to connect. The UE 10performs the autonomous search to detect a specific cell which isdiscovered by the UE 10 in the past and which belongs to a frequencydifferent from a frequency of a serving cell.

The specific cell, specifically a cell managed by a home base station(HNB, HeNB), does not support a broadcast distribution of MBMS data.Therefore, in a case where the UE 10 in an idle state receives (isreceiving or interested to receive) MBMS data from a general cell, theUE 10 in the idle state cannot receive MBMS data when the UE 10 performsthe cell reselection to the specific cell.

Therefore, in the second embodiment, the UE 10 halts the autonomoussearch when the UE 10 receives MBMS data from the general cell in theidle state. Moreover, the UE 10 sets a frequency distributing the MBMSdata to the highest priority as a priority of the cell reselection whenthe UE 10 receives MBMS data from the general cell, in the idle state.

This enables the UE 10 to receive MBMS data from the specific cell, inthe idle state. Moreover, it is possible for the UE 10 to reduce theprocessing load and the power consumption by halting the autonomoussearch.

Third Embodiment

Hereinafter, a third embodiment will be described while focusing ondifferences from the first embodiment. In the first embodiment, thespecific cell broadcasts the MBMS service information and/or the MBMSservice modification information.

However, besides such information, it is necessary to acquire MBMS basicinformation (i.e. minimum information necessary for receiving MBMS data)in order to receive MBMS data. Such the MBMS basic information is calledUSD (User Service Description).

A mobile terminal (UE 10) according to the third embodiment is used in amobile communication system including a general cell supporting abroadcast distribution of MBMS data and a specific cell not supporting abroadcast distribution of the MBMS data. The mobile terminal includes acontroller (processor 17) configured to acquire, from the specific cell,minimum information necessary for receiving the MBMS data when themobile terminal exists in the specific cell.

The minimum information may include an identifier of service thatprovides the MBMS data. Such service identifier is called TMGI(Temporary Mobile Group Identifier).

The minimum information may include information that indicates a starttime (session start time) of distributing the MBMS data. Moreover, theminimum information may include information that indicates an end time(session end time) of distributing the MBMS data.

The minimum information may include information that indicates afrequency in which the MBMS data is distributed.

The minimum information may include information that indicates ageographic area in which the MBMS data is distributed.

A processor according to the third embodiment is equipped in a mobileterminal used in a mobile communication system including a general cellsupporting a broadcast distribution of MBMS data and a specific cell notsupporting a broadcast distribution of the MBMS data. The processor isconfigured to acquire, from the specific cell, minimum informationnecessary for receiving the MBMS data when the mobile terminal exists inthe specific cell.

This enables the UE 10 to acquire, from the specific cell, minimuminformation necessary for receiving MBMS data when the UE 10 exists inthe specific cell. Thereby it is possible to set the state capable ofreceiving the MBMS data.

The minimum information is distributed from a MBMS server device(Broadcast Multicast Service Centre) provided in the core network 50 asa NAS (Non Access Stratum) message. UE 10, in a state connecting to thespecific cell (connected state), accesses to the MBMS server device viathe specific cell, and then acquires the NAS message.

Other Embodiments

The present invention has been described by using the above embodimentof the present invention. However, it should not be understood that thedescription and drawings which constitute part of this disclosure limitthe present invention. From this disclosure, various alternativeembodiments, examples, and operation techniques will be easily found bythose skilled in the art.

In the aforementioned second embodiment, a cell reselection in a casewhere the frequency of the general cell is different from the frequencyof the specific cell is assumed. When the frequency of the general cellis identical with the frequency of the specific cell, the UE 10receiving MBMS data from the general cell in an idle state may beaffected by an interference from the specific cell. Therefore, if thefrequency of the general cell is identical with the frequency of thespecific cell, the UE 10 receiving MBMS data from the general cell in anidle state may set the specific cell, to which the UE 10 is allowed toconnect, to the highest priority as the priority of cell reselection.When the UE 10 is interested to receive MBMS data after changing theserving cell to the specific cell, the UE 10 connects to the specificcell, and then can receive MBMS data from the specific cell by unicast.

This application claims the benefit of priority from U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 61/556,405 (filed on Nov. 7, 2011), the entire contentsof which are incorporated herein by reference.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

As described, the present invention is useful in radio communicationsfield such as mobile communications.

1. A mobile terminal used in a mobile communication system including ageneral cell supporting a broadcast distribution of MBMS data and aspecific cell not supporting a broadcast distribution of the MBMS data,comprising a controller that performs an autonomous search to search thespecific cell to which the mobile terminal is allowed to connect,wherein the controller is configured to halt the autonomous search whenthe mobile terminal in an idle state receives the MBMS data from thegeneral cell.
 2. A processor equipped in a mobile terminal used in amobile communication system including a general cell supporting abroadcast distribution of MBMS data and a specific cell not supporting abroadcast distribution of the MBMS data, the processor executing anautonomous search to search the specific cell to which the mobileterminal is allowed to connect, wherein the processor is configured tohalt the autonomous search when the mobile terminal in an idle statereceives the MBMS data from the general cell.
 3. A mobile terminal usedin a mobile communication system including a general cell supporting abroadcast distribution of MBMS data and a specific cell not supporting abroadcast distribution of the MBMS data, comprising a controllerconfigured to acquire, from the specific cell, minimum informationnecessary for receiving the MBMS data when the mobile terminal exists inthe specific cell.
 4. The mobile terminal according to claim 3, whereinthe minimum information includes an identifier of service that providesthe MBMS data.
 5. The mobile terminal according to claim 3, wherein theminimum information includes information that indicates a start time ofdistributing the MBMS data.
 6. The mobile terminal according to claim 3,wherein the minimum information includes information that indicates afrequency in which the MBMS data is distributed.
 7. The mobile terminalaccording to claim 3, wherein the minimum information includesinformation that indicates a geographic area in which the MBMS data isdistributed.
 8. A processor equipped in a mobile terminal used in amobile communication system including a general cell supporting abroadcast distribution of MBMS data and a specific cell not supporting abroadcast distribution of the MBMS data, the processor configured toacquire, from the specific cell, minimum information necessary forreceiving the MBMS data when the mobile terminal exists in the specificcell.